Perth Amboy First Responders Receive $25,000 Grant

PERTH AMBOY – On Monday, Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno presented a $25,000 grant to benefit the City of Perth Amboy’s emergency services. The money comes from a fund set up by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Departments receiving money have agreed to assist the Port Authority when emergencies arise. Perth Amboy police, fire and rescue squads respond when needed to emergencies on the Outerbridge Crossing.

Both the death of Osama bin Laden and the looming 10 – year anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks have brought more attention on the work of New Jersey first responders, many of whom are volunteers. Perth Amboy has 48 career firefighters and 44 volunteer firefighters, some of whom attended the ceremony.

[smartads]

“As we approach the tenth anniversary of 9/11, it is particularly appropriate that we recognize the heroism of the first responders like you,’’ Guadagno said during a ceremony at the Perth Amboy Fire Department. “I know that for some of you, these memories are all too real. I am sure that there are people in this room who ran into those towers as they were burning or searched for survivors in the days that followed.”

Grant rules stipulate that municipalities must use the money to buy public safety equipment or to upgrade facilities. Perth Amboy will use the money to buy equipment.

Also on hand was Bill Baroni, a former state senator and the Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority. He noted that the grant was timely, coming as it did when the Port Authority is commemorating its 90th anniversary.

Guadagno also spoke about the importance of helping municipalities, saying, “The important thing is to get what funding is available into the hands of those who can best use it to defend our communities.”

The Lt. Governor has previously presented checks to benefit first responders in the City of Linden, the Township of Woodbridge, the Township of Cedar Grove and the Borough of South River.